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Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
This tip sheet provides information about social distancing, quarantine, and isolation.
It describes feelings and thoughts you may have during and after social distancing, quarantine, and isolation. It also suggests ways to care for your behavioral health during these experiences and provides resources for additional help.
Wear your mask and social distance. Please be safe!
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Regional Opioid and Other Drug Prevention and Policy Workgroup |
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At last week's meeting, guest speaker John Daviau, MACP, Director of CT Affiliate Chapter Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) gave a comprehensive presentation on lessons learned from states where the retail sale of marijuana has been legalized. Here are some of the highlights and links to SAM Fact Sheets with additional information:
Youth
- Marijuana use among youth has increased and perception of risk has decreased. Colorado saw a 69% increase in marijuana vaping in 2 years (Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 2020)
- Young people use more potent marijuana, more often
- Marijuana companies target youth with products resembling candy and sodas
- Youth are exposed to marijuana marketing on social media platforms
Tax Revenues vs Reality
- Tax revenue from marijuana accounts for less than one percent of state revenues where the drug is legal
- Almost every state that legalized marijuana came up short on initial revenue targets
- Here in CT projected costs of legalization ($216 million) outweigh projected revenues ($113.6 million). Cost projection is derived from regulatory costs and increases in drugged driving fatalities and injuries, increased ER visits due to marijuana intoxication, increased homelessness, and increased workplace absenteeism and injuries
(2018 SAM report)
Marijuana and the Opioid Epidemic
- Past year marijuana use was significantly associated with an increase in reporting opioid dependence and past year non-medical use of opioid
- Drug overdoses significantly increased in Colorado after marijuana commercialization (Kenneth Finn, MD, editor of Cannabis in Medicine, 10/19 SAM Webinar)
SAM Fact Sheets:
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Drug Free Schools Committee
Resources for Youth, Parents and Families
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Uncertainty
COVID-19 has created so many challenges with mental health. Uncertainty induces anxiety... uncertainty with respect to our health and safety, uncertainty about whether school is in session or remote, and uncertainty about when we will be able to get together with family and friends and hug them again.
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has been working to fortify resources for everyone in our communiities across the state. COACH (COVID-19 Assistance for Community Health) provides FREE community support and outreach services in Connecticut in response to the unprecedented public health crisis, COVID-19. Click here to learn more about this program which is made possible through grant funding provided by FEMA.
We at Western CT Coalition are uncertain about what additional services will be needed when we go back to "normal", but we are inquiring, and will be working on providing those services and resources for our communities.
Until then, stay safe and take care.
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Space is available for our next teen program :
"The Power of Exercise"
moderated by Joyce Sixsmith.
Register today!
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My Mental Health Crisis Plan App
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new mobile app, My Mental Health Crisis Plan, which allows individuals who have serious mental illness (SMI) to create a plan to guide their treatment during a mental health crisis. The app was developed through SMI Adviser, a project funded by SAMHSA and administered by the American Psychiatric Association. The app empowers individuals who have serious mental illness (SMI) to help guide their treatment preferences during a mental health crisis. It is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Click here to learn more.
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Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board |
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Click here to read this year's winning essays of the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition. These essays can help us to understand the thoughts and experiences of those contemplating suicide. QPR Institute helps to sponsor this competition.
Stay tuned for more QPR webinar training dates in January!
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Resources for our Local Prevention Councils!
SAMHSA's Talk They Hear You campaign empowers parents to have conversations with their children about alcohol and other drugs. Their toolkit includes ready-made PSAs, fact sheets, brochures, and posters ready to be dowloaded. There is a mobile app too! Lets remind parents that their children really do listen, and they can have a poweful impact on their behavior.
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Problem Gambling Awareness |
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Former Day Trader Warns Others Of The Risk Of Addiction
Click here for this interview between NPR's Jim Zarroli and a man who lost tens of thousands of dollars trading stocks online. Keith Whyte of the National Council on Problem Gambling says "day trading becomes an addiction for many people"
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40 Developmental Assets Framework |
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The Developmental Assets® are 40 research-based, positive experiences and qualities that influence young people’s development, helping them become caring, responsible, and productive adults.
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External Asset #5 which falls under "Support"
Caring School Climate- Schools provide a caring, encouraging environment
If a school feels “warm” in a caring way, it’s easier for students to learn. But if safety at school is a problem or relationships between students and teachers are tense, it’s more difficult for everyone to focus on learning. A healthy climate enables students, teachers, staff, and parents to all take pride in their school.
How do we build this asset?
- Begin the day by greeting students. This starts with everyone- secretaries, counselors, teachers, coaches, custodians, parent volunteers, and others
- Project a good attitude and enthusiasm toward young people in a school environment
- Listen to students when they express concerns about the safety and mindset of their school. Treat everyone fairly
The 40 Developmental Assets® may be reproduced for educational, non-commercial uses only. Copyright ©1997 Search Institute®, 3001 Broadway Street NE, Suite 310, Minneapolis MN 55413; 800-888-7828; www.searchinstitute.org. All rights reserved.
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